The Meadows Center for Preventing Educational Risk

Shoutout to Antonella Canahuati, Gracie Douglas, and Sebastian Grimaldo for representing MCPER at the Gus Garcia Young Men’s Leadership Academy College & Career Fair on May 21, 2026! 🎓 They shared opportunities with students and connected with teachers and leaders about MCPER resources.

Here is a wonderful opportunity for educators and researchers over the summer! Come join us!

Registration is open for the 2026 Conference on Improving Instruction, Assessment, and Policies for Secondary English Learners Across the Content Areas, presented by the Center for the Success of English Learners, an Institute of Education Sciences (IES) Research and Development Center. This two-day conference will highlight research-based findings, tools, processes, and practices around English Learner (EL) education and outcomes. Learn more and register: https://ow.ly/bncA50Z2mZ2

Strengthen your MTSS implementation with this FREE course from TIER! Enroll now: http://sped.support/ongoing-pd-support-2526

This training provides leaders with key elements of ongoing professional development needed to support effective MTSS implementation. Throughout the training, leaders will reflect on and outline their campus or district PD across four essential areas:
• Annual PD planning
• Initial training and support
• In-class support
• Support for ongoing data use

Continue your MTSS learning with additional courses at http://sped.support/tier-self-paced-courses

MCPER is proud to partner with Comal ISD in supporting Texas Reading Academies! We work closesly with our local cohort leaders, offering ongoing logistical, content, and technical support including coaching, artifact guidance, and monthly PLCs – helping them feel supported and connected every step of the way.

Pictured left to right: Danielle Grinnan, Holly Stripling, MCPER’s Rachel Lee, and Jennifer Johnson

For more information about our Texas Reading Academies support, contact Dr. Robert Rain at [email protected].

Are you a mother to an infant or toddler and have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder? If so, you may qualify for the "Boosting Language Opportunities for Optimal Mothering (BLOOM): Parenting Strategies in Bipolar Disorder,” research study at The University of Texas at Austin that includes virtual developmental monitoring and the opportunity for intervention!

You may be eligible if you are a mother over the age of 18 who is diagnosed with bipolar disorder and whose child is between 6–24 months of age. Participants will receive $275 in gift cards and comprehensive reports about your child’s development. Involvement in the study will take about four months with surveys, interviews, assessments, and weekly meetings (i.e., if you are selected for intervention).

Please follow this link to learn more:

redcap.meadowscenter.org

Join the Austin Police Department, first responders, and other community partners for APD's annual Autism Acceptance event on May 9 at Hope Lutheran Church. Details below!

Now accepting applications for Intervention Academies!

Join us for a free pilot year (2026–2027) of targeted professional learning focused on supporting K–8 students in reading and mathematics. Open to district and campus leaders, teachers, interventionists, instructional coaches, and educational aides—don’t miss this opportunity to deepen your impact.

Applications are open now through May 15: https://utexas.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0rEacMskKL9D0LY

Download our flyer for more info:
https://utexas.box.com/s/gr1cgwkefvbzugjrzmt28tibprob1ma9

Strengthen family and caregiver partnerships with this FREE PBIS training! Enroll now: http://sped.support/partner-pbis-2526

This TIER training provides PK–12 educators with practical strategies to strengthen communication and collaboration, highlighting the essential role families and caregivers play in student success.

Learners will be ready to:
• Develop and implement effective approaches for partnering with families and caregivers
• Identify reliable methods for consistent, meaningful school-home communication
• Explore tools for gathering actionable input from families to strengthen PBIS systems

Continue your MTSS learning with additional courses at http://sped.support/tier-self-paced-courses

How do we improve reading comprehension for struggling students and students with disabilities? Emerging evidence suggests ALIGNED INSTRUCTION (coherent application of comprehension practices within and across classrooms) makes a difference!

For Fall 2026, we are seeking to partner with 5th grade teams who are ready to explore the POWER OF ALIGNED READING INSTRUCTION in their school. Teachers will receive free professional development, all lesson materials, and stipends.

Contact Christy Murray at [email protected] to express your interest and learn more!

📚 Scaling up Reading Buddies!
Beyond the study duration, over 40 YMCA sites across Texas and Tennessee elected to implement the Reading Buddies program in their schools, bringing evidence-based literacy support to even more young readers. We’re excited to see research in action through strong community partnerships!

If your YMCA program is interested in implementing Reading Buddies, check out our free online toolkit! https://meadowscenter.org/resource/cross-age-tutoring-toolkit/